WILDFIRES: How Inland firefighters are planning for a long, hot summer

As the Fish fire continues to burn in Duarte, firefighters in the Inland Empire are on watch. Between the extended drought and the current hot, dry conditions, officials say the season is alarmingly ahead of schedule.

AIR QUALITY

With wildfires sending up smoke and intense heat adding to ozone levels, unhealthy air is forecast for the Riverside-area valleys and the Hemet/Lake Elsinore area on Wednesday. Everyone should discontinue prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer than one hour.

Unhealthy air for sensitive groups is forecast for the San Gorgonio Pass. Sensitive or susceptible people, including children, older adults and those with heart or lung disease, should minimize outdoor activity.

Moderate air quality is forecast for the Temecula/Anza area, Big Bear Lake and the Coachella Valley/Low Desert. Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Source: South Coast Air Quality Management District

While California continues to experience its worst drought in 1,200 years, firefighters prepare for what’s already become a busy firefighting season.

In just a few days this week, several wildfires erupted in the Southland. The Border fire in San Diego County, and the Fish and Reservoir fires in San Gabriel Valley, have charred a combined 12,000-plus acres, causing evacuations and air-quality problems.

The two San Gabriel Valley fires, now collectively referred to as the San Gabriel Complex Fire, have prompted South Coast Air Quality Management District officials to issue a smoke advisory and unhealthy air-quality warning for neighboring Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire crews have fought 328 brush fires so far in 2016. In San Bernardino County, Cal Fire has responded to 168 vegetation fires just in the past week.

“We are in what we call an elevated fire condition,” National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Dandrea said. “That’s when we have high heat, strong winds and very low humidity.”

Avery Canyon, off Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet; North Mountain and Indian Canyon in the San Jacinto area; Whitewater Canyon in Cabazon; a hilly area east of Menifee Road in the Nuevo/Lakeview area; the area around Sage Road and Minto Way in the community of Sage; Reinhardt Canyon north of Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet; and the area around the Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon southeast of Hemet.

A Riverside County ordinance restricts public access to these areas, except on public roadways or when access is required to get to private property. First-time violators could be fined $100.

Also, Hawkins on June 10 suspended all burn permits issued by Cal Fire in Riverside County.

During this kind of hot, dry weather, Cal Fire/Riverside County Battalion Chief Mike Smith said it’s important for the public to be careful during any activities, such as mowing, that could cause a spark.

The public should limit such activities to the early-morning and have water or a shovel and dirt nearby. Motorists should limit offroad driving, Smith said.

“We need to remind everyone that the vast majority of fires that start across California are human-caused. And they are preventable,” Smith said.

DROUGHT’S EFFECTS

Since the beginning of the year, firefighters have responded to more than 1,344 wildfires across California.

“Five years of sustained drought are causing fuels to burn much faster and hotter than in nondrought conditions,” said Capt. Elizabeth Brown, spokeswoman for Cal Fire’s unit that covers San Bernardino County. “The rain we received this year has created a grass crop that, when dry, will carry fire easily.”

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